Seven Lessons From Alexander Semin

The rumor mill has been in full force over the last few months when it comes to the “enigmatic” Alexander Semin. Will he stay? Will he go? Is the KHL on the warpath with a trillion dollar contract? Do we, as Capitals fans, even really care?

Coming out of last season, it’s easy to see the main reasons for gossip: He made $6.7 million last year, and is due to go UFA on July 1 (last year, he’d re-signed by the end of January). Despite an increase in defensive responsibility, his 21-33-54 point-total has left him well below the kind of point-per-game average most people seem to think that $6.7M should be buying (this season, he pulled down .701 PPG. In 2010-11, he tallied .831. For comparison, his career best in the NHL was 1.15 in 2009-10, the year the Caps snagged the President’s Trophy).

But enough with the numbers. Hockey is about more than just stats – it’s about taking stupid penalties and scoring that last-minute game winner. It’s about setting an example for the future, so that others can learn from your mistakes. During his time as a Capital, Alex Semin has been kind enough to provide some fantastic lessons for future members of the franchise.

1. Throwing a puck at the opponent’s net is frowned upon in the NHL.

2. When getting into a fight, remember that your fight strap must be tied.

3. While ingenuity is prized on the ice, remember that your body is under contract and belongs to the team. Don’t do stupid things that might result in a broken leg right before a game, and especially not when someone nearby has a camera.

7. Spend long enough with an NHL team, someone will paint your portrait.

Writer

M. Richter

Em is a fan of hockey first and individual teams second, with geographical ties that cross the NHL. She was born in the Midwest, raised along the East Coast, and graduated from a university in Western Canada. A firm believer in context above all else, and a card-carrying on-ice official with USA Hockey, she splits her time between the big picture and the details.
When not covering the AHL and ECHL for Caps Outsider, her photography can be found on Behance and Flickr. She also occasionally chimes in about the Hershey Bears on the Power Play Post Show.